Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1887-01-27

NE.
READ BEFORE THE FLORIDA DENTAL AsSo-
CITATION.
In response TO your Presidents very po-
lite invitation to contribute paper to be
read at YOUR convention, ! select this sub
lect-not because | expect TO present any
new ideas but as it is one of practical I'M
portance, and given very little thought by
most parents and very many dentists, and
one which Will, at least, have brief review
In treating these Young patients, it Is first
necessary to have the cooperation Of the
parents, or whoever mas be most Interested;
for only by such help can We depend on the
fulfllment Of our instructions.
Surely, We can do nothing in our practice
tina: will be Of more permanent good than to
establish principles Of cleanliness with our
young patients in regard TO their teeth.
As soon a child has teeth, il should be
the daily duty of the mother to care for
them, seeing that perfect cleanliness is main
tanned, and soon practicable. teach il a
judicieus use Of the tooth brush, floss silk
and ,ooth-pick, and provide il with suit
able dentifrice.
Thus, early becoming habitualiy attentive
TO the teeth, il will not feel comfortable un-
less they are cleaned after each meal.
Too much care cannot be taken TO see
that the teeth are properly used and not in
jured at meals, as mere ornaments, by bolt
ing the food without properly mastcating or
making an emulsion of II, as is done in some
cases, by drinking water or milk, or what IS
worse, tea or coffee with almost every
mouthful. Evil effects, caused by soaking
the food IN this way, and preventing prop
er mixture Of saliva, are too well known 10
more than mention here. 1t seems to be a
principle Of nature not TO maintain ANYTHING
for which il has no use, and il certainly
looks reasonable that If We disregard the
use of the teeth, especially the temporary
set, nature will not endow the permanent IN
their formation and development as it other
wise would.
1t cannot be expected by hygien.c treat
ment to build up fine den,ure whore there
is predisposition to decay, but | believe
much can be done for the permanent set and
for the teeth of succeeding generations, by
caring for and usiny the temporary sets Of
the present.
Those people who delight in talking their
experience IN the dental chair, and for the
sake OF representing themselves a. mariNls,
by giving in magnifed detail ali the pains
they have endured and describe the horrid
instruments and piles Of appliance" which
they sag, they have and felt in the
office OF their famous dentist, make an ire
parable mistake when the, indu ge ia con
yersatien Of this nature before children. for
their little ears are wide open 10 everything
that is SAID, and it cannot fail to create a
fear that will, when they visit their dentist
be distressing TO themselves and perpirAiug
to the operator.
1t would be q mistake to deceive them
with the idea that they will enjoy the dental
chair.
Let mothers see TO it, then. that their
children are not intimida,ed, so when they
are taken TO the dentist (which should be as
early as the second year. and earlier il the
teeth show signs Of decay,l they may 90
with as much unconcern AS possible As
the temporary teeth are only intended TO
last biief period, il is argued by many
dentists that il is not worth while 10 give
them any attention more than 10 extr- an
offensive one when it causes pain. Such
teachings aid practice are wrong, and crue.
to the children, and. am glad to say. are
fast being buried in the cemetery of dental
antiquities.
In asserting that .utficient care and treat
ment should be given the temporary teeth
to assist them in maintaining their places
their allotted time. | am aware stand in
direct opposition ito his patients, al least,b
Of a certain well known dentist, Vet this
same man is Proftssor Of Operdttre Den
tistry in one of the best dental colleges in
this country.
| hope | am not too presumptuous IN de-
nouncing the practice Of some Of my senior
brethren, but believe that il one is 10 err on
this subject, it may not be by saying too
much.
To ensure success with children, il is of
the greatest Importance TO gain their conf
dence, and when this is accomplished the
battle may be considered won. The only
way to hold such hard earned ground is to
deal squarely with them. That stale lie, "it
won't hurt" and the forcep up the sleeve,
are passe. Victims of this old-fashioned
funny business" are those who hate to have
their teeth even looked at.
Handle the children, then, with all posi- j.
Bile gentleness.
Better, by far, insert very temporary
filling that must be replaced in few
weeks, than to thoroughly excavate and fill
a very sensitive cavity in one Of these small
teeth.
Oxyphosphate Of zinc, gutta percha, ANAL
gam and tin, are the materials best adapted
10 the filling of temporary teeth. The oper
ator must be governed by conditions, which
agent should be employed, bearing IN mind
that the relatively large pulp must be pro-
tect ed from thermal CHANGES and filings for
large crown cavities must be able to resist
the force of masticaion as well as a poor
conductor of heat. As less pain is caused
BY excavating a cavity when dry. this con-
dition should be maintained as much as pos
sibe, but as such operations are usually
brief, and it requires so little time when
everything is ready to fill the cavity, the
napkin and bibulous paper,in most cases,are
sufficient. | have never vet found it neces-
sary to apply rsbber dam to deciduous
tooth.
In cases of an exposed pulp, pellet of
cotton, saturated with creosote, and placed
in the cavity, carefully sealed, allowing ii to
remain iu few days, is all that is required.
After the LIBERALIZATION of the pulp has
been accomplished, as much of it as possible
removed, its cavity filled with crude cotton
saturated with creosote, or carbolic acid, and
the crown filled with any material that will
insure cleanliness, no further trouble need
be expected from that tooth during the time
it should remain in the mouth.
When deciduous tooth, with dead and
putrescent pulp is presented for treatment
freely. and if, after allowing it to remain
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